Living in london, advice??

Question

Hello, I am an italian aerospace engineer, and I would want to relocate in London to improve (in other words learn..) my english and contemporaneously, working (even in other fields), in order to find, after a period of time, a job as aerospace engineer, for example with EADS in Stevenage..someone of you can give me some advice? or about similar experiences? thank you!

Answer 1

I am a recruiter, and I actually work in IT not in the aerospace industry but I've recently done a project relating to this area.  Here's my advice ...

Firstly, if you've got a good job right now, don't leave it to come over here and learn English.  That approach is fine for a student; not for a professional.  Once you've left the industry you'll find it hard to get back in.  If your English needs improvement before you take on work here, then I would suggest that you attend night classes in Italy.  It's true that this won't be as good as actually being in England to learn the language, but maybe you could also explore other avenues such as finding English people to hang out with in Italy.  There are also schools where you can go which are aimed at professionals where you will speak English from 8am-9pm every day for a week - my sister taught at one in Spain, and I'm sure they'd have similar things in Italy.

Now, you probably don't want to come London itself.  As you've said EADS is based in Stevenage, and to the best of my knowledge, most other aerospace companies are based in the Hampshire area, and possibly Berkshire and Middlesex.  Now, these areas are commuting distance from London.  But it's expensive to live in London, and train fares are expensive, so it's stupid to live in London but commute out of the city for work.  It's better to live close by to where you work.

I would advise that you look on the websites of the companies that you're interested in working for and submit your CV speculatively, or apply for any jobs that they have advertised that you'd be interested in.  On your application, I would state the following:

- That you are currently based in Italy but plan to relocate to the UK in the near future

- That you do not expect financial assistance to relocate

- That you are an EU citizen and therefore are able to work in the UK

My personal opinion is that Italian companies are amongst the best in aerospace industry and that it's likely that your skills will be in demand.  But, yes, it is a problem if your English isn't so good.

Answer 2

I am english and in my opinion you shouldnt live in london

Answer 3

I am English and live in the greatest capitol city in the world London